'Take Band-Aid Off': Elmhurst Officials Push 27% Water Rate Hike

ELMHURST, IL – Members of an Elmhurst City Council committee on Monday generally agreed to a 27 percent increase in water rates.

But they also called for some type of discount for senior citizens.

The increase could take effect as soon as March.

At the request of committee members, staffers presented options in which the city could enact the rate hike in steps over the next few years.

However, members concluded the water and sewer systems' needs were too great to hold off work. They said projects' costs would likely rise in the next few years.

"Let's take the Band-Aid off and get to work," Alderman James Nudera said.

At the same time, Nudera expressed the most hesitation about going as high as 27 percent, given the effect on those with fixed incomes.

But Nudera agreed to such a rate hike after his colleagues asked the city administration to present options for senior discounts at the committee's next meeting.

The city says it must upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet regulations. It also says it needs to improve reservoirs and pumping stations.

Among the regulations are treating phosphorous, which officials termed an unfunded mandate.

"Elmhurst is ahead of the curve as far as (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) mandates," Alderwoman Noel Talluto said. "Other communities are not being as proactive as us."

She was referring to a city analysis that shows Elmhurst has the fourth-highest water bills among 17 comparison towns. Most of the towns, she said, will see higher rates as they start work to comply with mandates.

The committee members considered two options that would have delayed water main work seen as necessary.

Alderman Chris Jensen, who was connected to the meeting by phone, said such delays were off the table for him.

"We need to get the move-on with the water mains," he said. "We had another water main break that was very disruptive."

Talluto agreed.

"We may make ourselves feel better with a little bit lower rate increase," she said. "But we're just fooling ourselves and making it more expensive down the road, which is next year. We're just buying ourselves nine months."

Committee members expressed concern about the effect on low-income residents. They suggested undertaking more efforts to alert the public about township governments and charities that can help with such costs.

They said a smaller increase next year would be based on consumption, affecting larger users.

According to the city, the average user spends $119 a month for water and sewer service. With the 27 percent hike, the bill would rise to $151.